Vinyl pressings
by Spandau Ballet · 1983
Communication was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
35 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 13 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
CHS 122668 A // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 2 2 timtom-cbsRunout side A, stamped / etched
CHS 122668 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 1 6 TYRunout side B, stamped / etched
CHS 2668 A1 DAMONT timtom - cbsRunout, A-side, etched
CHS 2668 B1 TY DAMONTRunout, B-side, etched
CHS 2668 A//2▽ 420 C timtom-cbsA-side runout, stamped, timtom-cbs is etched. Variant 1
CHS 2668 B//1▽ 420 C TYB-side runout, stamped, TY is etched. Variant 1
CHS 2668 A // 1 ▽ 420 C 11 15 timtom-cbsA-side runout, stamped, timtom-cbs is etched. Variant 2
CHS 2668 B // 2 ▽ 420 C 11 21 TYB-side runout, stamped, TY is etched. Variant 2
CHS 2668A1 DAMONT TimTom-CBS
CHS 2668 B1 TY DAMONT
CHS 2668 A //1 420Etching Side A
CHS 2668 B //1 420Etching Side B
CHS 2668 A//2▽ 420 C timtom-cbs
CHS 2668 B//1▽ 420 C TY
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Chrysalis X 14021 / Chrysalis CHS 12 2668First year12", Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | Australia | Chrysalis X 13104 / Chrysalis X-13104First year12", Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | Australia | Chrysalis K-9021First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Chrysalis CS 42668First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS 42770First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS 42770First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 105 116 / Chrysalis 105 116-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 600 753First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Chrysalis PC 61100First year12" | 12" |
| 1983 | France | Chrysalis PB 61099First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Chrysalis 600 753First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Reformation CHS 2668 / Chrysalis CHS 2668First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-17443-AFirst year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-17344First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-17443-BFirst year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Chrysalis VS8 429527", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
40 vinyl pressings of Communication are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1983 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHS 12 2668, released January 31, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHS 12 2668, CHS 2668, CHSP 2668, 4V9 42668) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHS 122668 A // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 2 2 timtom-cbs and CHS 122668 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 1 6 TY. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
